5 Key Insights on Distracted Driving That Employers Need to Know

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly a quarter of motor vehicle accidents are a result of distracted driving, with around 13% of crashes resulting in injury and 8% resulting in death. While distracted driving is commonly associated with cell phone use, it also involves anything that takes a driver’s eyes, hands, or mind off the road.

“Technology has made cars safer with automatic braking systems, lane deviation alerts, in-cab cameras, and maintenance alerts, yet the distractions a driver brings into a vehicle can quickly diminish the effectiveness of the very systems designed to prevent crashes,” said Ariel Jenkins, Assistant Vice President of Risk Control at Safety National. “Without clear policies and consistent enforcement, even the most advanced safety features can be undermined by distracted behavior.”

Here are five facts you need to know to ensure your commitment to a safe driver program.

1. Distracted commercial drivers are six times more likely to be involved in a crash, near-crash, or lane deviation.

In a study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, drivers took their eyes off the road for an average of 3.8 seconds to dial a phone number. At 55 miles per hour (mph), that is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field while blindfolded.

2. Handheld phone use can result in hefty penalties and even driver disqualification.

Penalties can be up to $2,750 for drivers and up to $11,000 for employers who allow their drivers to use handheld communication devices. Multiple infractions can result in a commercial driver being disqualified by the FMCSA.

3. 30 states have prohibited handheld cell phone use, while nearly all have enacted texting bans.

Not only is handheld use prohibited, but most states use primary enforcement, meaning law enforcement can stop a driver solely for using a cell phone while driving.

4. Distracted driving kills around 3,500 people annually.

Experts also note that this number may be underreported unless it can be proven in crash data. Additionally, about 1-in-5 of those who die in a distracted driving crash are not in vehicles but are pedestrians or cyclists.

5. Technology can reduce a fleet’s at-fault collisions by 25-50% annually.

There are multiple solutions, including cell phone-based apps designed to help drivers learn and put safer hands-free cell phone use practices into perspective, through a training program. These apps also enable fleet managers to gain new safety visibility with a program portal and reporting. This reporting allows them to view safe driver scores, receive daily exception reports for problem drivers, and manage fleet drivers.

Ultimately, reducing distracted driving risk is not about having the right policy on paper; it is about applying it consistently in practice. By pairing clear expectations with driver training, leadership accountability, and data-driven monitoring, organizations can close the gap between policy and behavior. Consistent enforcement reinforces that safety is not optional and, over time, helps build a culture where focused, attentive driving becomes the standard rather than the exception.